Sustainability Ambitions

Sustainable development, social progress, environmental protection: these concerns have been at the heart of Lafarge's strategy since its inception, over 170 years ago.

Lafarge Group’s Sustainability Ambitions 2012

Sustainable development is not a new priority for the Lafarge Group. It is an integral part of its vision and day-to-day activities. The Sustainability Ambitions 2012 roadmap reaffirms the Group's three main commitments and highlights new challenges with regard to:

climate change

health and safety

protection of the environment and biodiversity

The ambitions were introduced for all divisions to ensure that there are tangible objectives and targets in place. Lafarge South Africa is focused on making its own contributions to ensure that the Group can achieve its sustainable development goals.

Contributing at a local level

Lafarge makes a large contribution to the communities local to many of its South African operations. The products it manufactures are made close to where they will be used, ensuring they are adapted to the requirements of local customers and markets and reducing long-haul transportation of heavy goods. Its operations provide skilled jobs and contributions to the local economy through rates, use of local sub-contractors and community partnerships.

Preserving the environment

This commitment has developed over the years to encompass a broad range of initiatives to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment, preserve natural resources and reduce CO2 emissions. Examples include the recycling of industrial waste, the use of waste-derived fuels and materials, and improvements to industrial processes. This helps Lafarge's South African operations to build sustainable growth by placing environmental commitments at the heart of day-to-day activities.

Sustainable development

The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

Sustainable development aims to reconcile 3 major stakes:

economic performance,

the social consequences of a company's actions (with regard to employees, suppliers, customers and the local community),

environmental aspects (achieving a balance between a company's activities and the preservation of ecosystems).

In 2050, 70% of the world population will live in cities, twice as many as there were in 1970. Whether large, medium or small, whether in mature or emerging countries, cities are central to the challenges facing the planet. To improve cities, Lafarge contributes to the construction of cities around the world, through its innovative solutions providing them with more housing and making them more compact, more durable, more beautiful, and better connected.